Book Review: Love Warrior

October 3, 2016

Love Warrior
Glennon Doyle Melton
272 pages
Kindle edition

From the Publisher:

Just when Glennon Doyle Melton was beginning to feel she had it all figured out―three happy children, a doting spouse, and a writing career so successful that her first book catapulted to the top of the New York Times bestseller list―her husband revealed his infidelity and she was forced to realize that nothing was as it seemed. A recovering alcoholic and bulimic, Glennon found that rock bottom was a familiar place. In the midst of crisis, she knew to hold on to what she discovered in recovery: that her deepest pain has always held within it an invitation to a richer life.

Love Warrior is the story of one marriage, but it is also the story of the healing that is possible for any of us when we refuse to settle for good enough and begin to face pain and love head-on. This astonishing memoir reveals how our ideals of masculinity and femininity can make it impossible for a man and a woman to truly know one another – and it captures the beauty that unfolds when one couple commits to unlearning everything they’ve been taught so that they can finally, after thirteen years of marriage, commit to living true―true to themselves and to each other.

Love Warrior is a gorgeous and inspiring account of how we are born to be warriors: strong, powerful, and brave; able to confront the pain and claim the love that exists for us all. This chronicle of a beautiful, brutal journey speaks to anyone who yearns for deeper, truer relationships and a more abundant, authentic life.

Review:

I saw this book on a friend’s Instagram and it totally intrigued me.  I’ll admit right now I haven’t read Melton’s other books, or even followed her blog. Apparently at times I live under a rock. Most people who read this book have been following her and love her.  But I just read the description and decided to go for it.  And I could not put this book down.  I read it late into the night before my half marathon and then as I waited at the top of the race before the start I pulled out my phone and read even more on my kindle app!

Love Warrior is a memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton, a famous blogger (Momastry) and speaker. This book is also  the newest Oprah Book Club selection.  This tells the story about her life, her additions and struggles growing up and then after she thought she had it all figured out, finding out about her husband’s addition to pornography.  This story is raw and real.  Melton is so good at telling a story and showing that vulnerability isn’t a bad thing.

There were so many parts of this book that I highlighted that I had such a hard time picking just one quote  – or even just two for my review.  Every one has challenges.  Everyone has a story.  I love that Melton shows us that telling our story can be so powerful and freeing.

I think one of my favorite parts of the entire book came at the end when Glennon was discussing what beauty is with her daughters.  She says,

“You two will meet plenty of people who are pretty but haven’t yet learned how to be beautiful.  They will have the right look for the times, but they will not glow.  Beautiful women glow.  When you are with a beautiful woman you might not notice her hair or skin or body or clothes, because you will be distracted by the way she makes you feel.”

If you like Brene Brown, you should read this book (and probably her other one).  In fact, they have an online class about story telling that I’ve been working through and loving.  Both of these women are amazing to me!  This book had so much to think about and discuss.  I’m not part of a book club, but it would make an excellent book club selection.I have a huge stack of non-fiction/self improvement books that I’ve been reading through this month, and Melton’s other book, Carry On Warrior, is moving up on my TBR list.  I would love to hear your thoughts if you have read it!

Final Score

5 stars

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